August 9/10
Finally. Jerry Granelli - 1313 LP shipping now!
Those in Halifax can pick it up at Lost & Found, Taz, and Video Difference. For everyone else, either order from us or check with your local store or distro in the coming weeks. This record should be available throughout North America and in parts of Europe starting September 3rd.
July 13/10
JERRY GRANELLI - 1313 LP UPDATE -- We got this record last week, but there was a slight problem with the pressing. The plant is working hard to fix things up, so if all goes well, the new pressing should be in our hands late this week. Sorry for the delay!!
June 21/10
Hey folks, the three new Freewave releases are now posted. Head over to the page and download away. Please consider donating. It'd be a big help to all those involved.
June 9/10
The OBEY Convention was amazing. Thanks to everyone who came out, helped out, and performed. We're already working on next year.
In other news, the Jerry Granelli - 1313 pre-order is now posted on the album page. Jerry is a jazz icon, so DIVORCE is especially lucky to be releasing this record! Charles Austin, Jerry and I have been working on this for more than a year. It was mastered by one of my heroes Weasel Walter, and the art is by Halifax's best designers Yo Rodeo. Please pre-order. Limited to 600 copies.
May 2010
>OBEY CONVENTION SCHEDULE, LINEUP++++++
>OBEY CONVENTION BLOG
>OBEY CONVENTION ON FACEBOOK
>DIVORCE ON FACEBOOK
>DIVORCE ON TWITTER
April 13/10
I am putting the finishing touches on the next round of FREEWAVE releases. It's all guitar this time around :: Ryan Kirk, Les Beyond, and Chuck Blazevic. They should be available in a couple weeks. In the meantime, if you haven't downloaded the releases we currently have posted, do it now. They go down when the new batch goes up. More soon...
April 1/10
COMPLETE DIVORCE VINYL BUNDLE - $37 !!!! SOLD OUT
(only 13 available)
GRAND TRINE – Sunglasses 12”
raw, frenzied proto-punk & heavy psych jamz
DOG DAY – Elder Schoolhouse 12”
gloomy pop plus a feedback epic that was once a Beatles cover
AIDAN BAKER / NOVELLER – Colorful Disturbances LP
shape shifting, brain bending guitar drone (and stone)
SHEARING PINX – Weaponry LP
noise punk gold – abstract and violent
GOWN – The Old Line LP
outsider guitar meditation
HUSBAND & KNIFE – An End LP
weird folk way down in a dark hole
SHEARING PINX – Haruspex 7”
guitars vs. drums vs. some strange tape about drugs
BE BAD / ATTACK MODE – 7”
an art damaged punk band plus a punk damaged art band
GILBERT SWITZER / THE HOLD – State of Nature 7”
glass drinking, crazywave heroes paired up with some real serious dudes
So yeah, I was cleaning up my office/barn for the first time in months when I came across a box of records that included some titles I thought were all gone. I had enough to piece together thirteen awesome sets of every vinyl release DIVORCE has ever done. Each one of these records represents a ton of work and heart by both myself and the amazing visual and musical artists involved. The earliest releases only came about after I sold the few worldly possessions I owned (a nice guitar and an alright amp), but things have been looking up ever since. I really felt like presenting these slabs as a set for the first time. This is an incredible deal for nine killer records!! I’m sure they won’t last long.
Get in touch at chikwhite@gmail.com to order.
Shipping/handling is $13 to Canada and $16 to the USA.
March 21/10
GRAND TRINE - Sunglasses 12" now official. It seems like we have been plugging this record for a long time, but it just hit shops worldwide on Friday. I did a quick count tonight, and it looks like we are already under 200 copies left. Crazy!
Here's a list of some of the places now carrying the record. If they don't have it yet, they should in a few days. Support these guys...
Scratch Records (Canada) - http://scratchrecords.com/
Revolver USA (USA) - http://revolverusa.com/
Escalator Records (Japan) - http://www.escalator.co.jp/
Norman Records (UK) - http://www.normanrecords.com/
Academy Annex (USA - Brooklyn, NY) - http://www.academyannex.com/blog/
Floridas Dying (USA - Florida) - http://www.floridasdying.com/pages/catalog.htm
Eclipse (USA - California) - http://www.eclipse-records.com/
Experimedia (USA - Ohio) - http://www.experimedia.net/
Cheap Thrills (Canada - Montreal) - http://cheapthrills.ca/
Birdman Sound (Canada - Ottawa) - http://www.birdmansound.com/
Taz Records (Canada - Halifax) - http://www.tazrecords.com/
Lost & Found (Canada - Halifax) - http://www.divorcerecords.ca/mainpages/distro.html
March 11/10
OBEY CONVENTION IV !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
U.S. Girls, Slim Twig, Amen Dunes, Paul Metzger, Homostupids, Dog Day, Pierre Bastien, Dirty Beaches, Holy Cobras, Ultrathin, Omon Ra II, Purple Knight, Play Guitar, Les Beyond++++
::::HERE::::
March 4/10
Grand Trine records in the mail. OBEY Convention line-up coming in the next few days. Working hard.
Feb. 1/10
DIVORCE is happy to FINALLY announce the pre-order for Grand Trine's Sunglasses EP. These guys have been on an amazing run, recording obsessively, hitting the road almost monthly, playing sold out shows, and sharing stages with the likes of Tyvek, U.S Girls, Human Eye, NoMeansNo and The Jesus Lizard. Sunglasses will be their vinyl debut. It's certainly the most rock and roll record to ever appear on DIVORCE, but there's also fake-jazz-freaking, saxophone jams, noise assaults, and even a blissed-out loop meditation. Head to the album page for more info. All pre-orders receive a free copy of the 2006 Be Bad/Attack Mode 7".
Dec. 1/09
:::FREEWAVE:::
Oh yeah! Freewave is a new series of FREE digital EPs from DIVORCE. The albums are exclusive to the series and cost you $0 to download. Merry Xmas! These releases will only be available until the next round of EPs come along. Act now and check back often! First up -- Husband & Knife, Mess Folk, and Zachary Fairbrother.
Those of you who are especially kind may choose to donate to the FREEWAVE cause. The money will be split up between the artists and the label. If you have a few bucks and like what you hear, please do consider the option. The label is just looking to cover mastering and website costs, and of course, the artists are more than deserving. There is no obligation. Enjoy the downloads, and please SPREAD THE WORD.
:::PRESS:::
As mentioned below, there has been a TON of great press lately. I just posted the Byron Coley/WIRE reviews of Husband & Knife + Omon Ra/Chris d'Eon along with a few others on the album page. Here are some links to words about the two newest records:
>>DOG DAY - ELDER SCHOOLHOUSE 12"
Toronto Star
Chartattack (5 stars)
The Coast (Best of 2009)
The Mirror
>>AIDAN BAKER/NOVELLER - COLORFUL DISTURBANCES LP
The Mirror (Disc of the Week)
Weird Canada
Aquarius Records
:::DISTRO XMAS SALE - 25% off EVERYTHING!!:::
That's right, every xmas we try to do some kind of sale. This year we are offering 25% off every distro item both at Lost & Found and online. The discount does not apply to DIVORCE releases or shipping charges. You have until December 24th. Get in touch!
Thanks. Thanks.
November 5/09
Just a quick note::: all pre-orders are shiping now!! I have been packing all week, so expect your record(s) very soon. Thanks so much for the orders. It's been overwhelming.
There is so much news to report. I don't have time to go into detail because I need to get back to stuffing mailers. Sometime in the next couple weeks I'll do a serious update, but here are a few highlights:
- Grand Trine & Noveller opening for Jesus Lizard
- Omon Ra/Chris d"Eon C30 reviewed by Byron Coley in The Wire
- Husband & Knife - More of Them (Than Us) C30 reviewed by Byron Coley in The Wire
- Flat Denial reviewed in MRR
- Shearing Pinx reviewed in Mirror & Coast
- Dog Day - Elder Schoolhouse 12" gets 5 stars in Chart
+++
Oct 8/09
Two fantastic reviews from Weird Canada ::::::
Shearing Pinx - Weaponry LP
"The past three years have seen Shearing Pinx focus their creative blasts from harsh noise-punk to decimating experimentalism, tying together streams of sans-wave, noise, 90s-whatever-rock, and experimental every/any/something. Weaponry, Shearing Pinx’s first of two slated albums on Halifax’s Divorce Records, is by far their most meditative release and leaps into the unchartered netherlands of post-ritual druid-wave; ruminating vocals pierce through our cosmetic musical barriers and channel sinusoidal rhythms embedded within searing pleas of release (I’m really trying to convey a feeling I’ve had while listening to this record for the past four days straight and it’s hard). Fourier would be proud as the album converges; inspiring, leading, and transcending national boundaries in an effort to present the world with one the best adjective-punk records of 2009. My highest recommendation."
Omon Ra / Chris d'Eon - S/T C30
"Divorce Records found an odd paring between Omon Ra and Chris d’Eon. In what will likely become a flag-ship release within Canada’s psychedelic tapestry, we (finally) see the benefits of our quilting of culture. Within both sides of this cassette are woven threads of proven psychedelic fybre: Chris d’Eon channeling streams from the Eastern source and Omon Ra from the western rhythmic pop-lysergia. Chris d’Eon occupies the entirety of Side A with a long, progressive track based around (what I’m assuming is) guitar, tabla, and sitar. It’s a classic trip that reaches quick perfection as it touches on John Fahey, Sandy Bull, and Shawn Philips, amongst other masters of the folk communion. Side B captures Omon Ra conjuring ethereal, western acid with layered vocals, distorted drones, and subdued-pop. It’s catchy, droney, vaguely-emotional, and a certified trip. Omon Ra will become a leading creative mind in Canada and I’m assuming there’s a lot more at the source. Grip it before it’s sold out and let it resonate with the subtleties of your subconscious, causing vibrations within your inner-mind; channel the stars, night, and that weird star-wars looking dude on the cover. Recommended for late-night listening. Alone."
September 23/09
OK. There is so much going on right now that I don't know where to start. Let's see......................
The Shearing Pinx - Weaponry LP will officially be released this Friday. Many of you already have a copy. If you don't, pick one up. They won't last long. The Pinx are leaving for a cross Canada tour really soon. I'll try to get those dates up in the next week or so. As for the LP, I have aleady done enough raving about it (check below), so let's move to the next bit of news.
Two new pre-orders are now up on the album page -- Dog Day - Elder Schoolhouse 12" and Noveller/Aidan Baker - Colourful Disturbances LP. Both of these should ship in about a month, with an official release date of Nov. 13/09. Although I was hoping to squeeze the Grand Trine - Sunglasses 12" into the schedule for 2009, it's looking like the mastering will not be done in time. Expect that one right away in 2010. Check out the album page and our myspace for tracks from these upcoming releases. I really couldn't be more excited.
Things are moving along for Jerry Granelli's epic drum record. Charles Austin, Jerry, and I just spent a few days in the studio mixing the tracks we recorded way back in April. Working with Jerry has been incredible -- I have never thought so hard about drums. Both Charles and I are learning so much. Jerry will be turning 70 just before the release of this record. In all those years of drumming, as far as I can tell, he's yet to release a solo record. I am so honoured that he agreed to do this on DIVORCE! And on vinyl! For more about Jerry Granelli, check out this interview on allaboutjazz.com.
In Husband & Knife news, 2008's fantastic An End LP just got a fine review from the generally nasty but awesome Still Single feature on Dusted. Check it out.
I will wrap this up with a list of events DIVORCE will be hosting in Halifax next month. Every detail is not worked out, but here's where things stand:
October 22nd
DIVORCE Showcase at Halifax Pop Explosion
Nadja
Grand Trine
Dead Wife
Husband & Knife
Secret Colours
@ Gus' Pub
October 23rd
Aidan Baker
@ Eye Level Gallery
October 30th
Shearing Pinx
Ahna
Bad Vibrations
Data Cave
@ Gus' Pub
October 31st
Halloween Party!
Shearing Pinx
Ahna
Pig
@ Lost & Found
Wow. Busy fall! Thanks for all the support.
September 8/09
I have been packing records for the last three nights. If you ordered this, it should be in the mail by tomorrow at the latest. Thanks again for all the support. More than half of the run is already out the door. Look for the Dog Day - Elder Schoolhouse 12" pre-order any day now.
August 14/09 :: Test Pressing!!
The Shearing Pinx tests just arrived, and they sound fantastic. Being the first to hear an album on vinyl is a rad experience. Maybe it's in my head, but I find the sound of a record far superior to any other format. The CD-R I've been listening to for months just doesn't come close.
Like I've been saying, this record is stellar. It makes a strong case for crowning these guys best band in Canada. After so many releases, this LP is such a perfect culmination of everything they've ever done. God, I bounced around the office for hours with the test on full blast, feeling like a teenager hearing punk for the first time. Days like these remind of why I run a label.
The tests will be approved, so actual records should be in my hands in a week or two. I'll ship all pre-orders as soon as they arrive. Thanks so much for ordering early!!!
August 5/09
SHEARING PINX - WEAPONRY LP (((PRE-ORDER)))
--Art by Rick White--
Oh yeah... this one is almost ready, and we couldn't be more excited. The Shearing Pinx go far beyond many of their contemporaries by exploring such a VAST range of music, while at the same time staying grounded in that cool as hell, noisy, low-fi aesthetic. Weaponry is not as catchy or punk as their more popular albums like Ultra Snakes and Poison Hands. This new record works that darker, more fucked up side of things, and that's what we here at DIVORCE like best! Personally, I think this LP and the record that will follow are their absolute best releases to date. Go to the album page and pre-order now.
June 3/09
Alright....... OBEY Convention no. 3 was fantastic. I was absolutely blown away every night. Thanks to all the bands, volunteers, and attendees. I hope you all had as much fun as I did.
Now it is back to the business of records. Over the next months expect records from Shearing Pinx, Aidan Baker, Noveller, Jerry Granelli, Dog Day, Grand Trine, Bastard Noise/Torso, and a few more. I will also be adding a ton of records to the distro. Keep checking back for details. For now, check out the new tapes by Flat Denial and Omon Ra/Chris d'Eon. More soon....
***OLD NEWS IS OLD NEWS. WE ONLY KEEP ABOUT A YEAR'S WORTH OF UPDATES ON THIS SITE.***